Needle hits fabric and appear to hit hard - what has happended is knotting under side of fabric. This is after half the project is completed - do not understand problem, needle stitch was fine then just all of a sudden - knotting happens on underside of fabric,

The same thing happens to me. I'll be sewing along fine then about half way through the project it all goes to pot. The thread starts bird nesting and the whole bobbin encasement seems to want to pop out.

The same thing happens to me. I'll be sewing along fine then about half way through the project it all goes to pot. The thread starts bird nesting and the whole bobbin encasement seems to want to pop out.

In 99% of all problems with "bird's nesting" or "knotting" it is an issue of the thread coming out of the take up lever (at threading guide #3) (from the spool; through the first thread guide at #1 down to #2 and up to # 3) when the thread comes out of the take up lever, the machine can not regulate the thread and it floods the machien with thread and wraps itself around the bobbin case. OR! Your tension is too loose. Raise it. Your machine should preform perfect at tension #4 unless you are using speciality threads or fabrics.

ALWAYS be in the habit of threading your machine with presser foot up so that while threading between paths 1 and 2 you are certain to have the thread pass throught the tension disks.

This will happen on a $50.00 machine or a $5,000 machine. The thread needs to be regulated.

Posting this for future forum-searches. I had the same problem, with
terrible knotting on the underside. After paying $100 to have it
serviced, it turned out the bobbins I bought were the wrong size. After correcting the bobbin size, it worked like a charm.

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Related Questions:

Check that it is actually the bobbin thread that is nesting. Generally, bobbin thread issues appear on the top of the fabric and upper thread issues appear on the underside of the fabric.

If it is in fact the bobbin thread, the bobbin thread tension may be off or malfunctioning.

If it is the upper thread nesting under the fabric:
1. Remove the thread
2. Install a brand new needle
3. ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot. This releases the thread tension so the thread will seat properly.
4. Rethread from the beginning and check the thread path is correct.
5. Set the upper tension at the midway point.
6. Check that the bobbin thread is loaded properly
7. Retest the machine.

If it continues to create thread nests under the fabric, tighten the upper tension.

if it is brand new then have it fixed under warranty
if used then it appears that the needle/bobbin timing is out with the needle hitting the bobbin carrier ot the hook hitting the needle.
bunching up of thread under the material is a sign of upper tension to light
suggest that you have a service done to fix it.

This is caused by the tension between the bobbin and needle threads being out of balance. If the knots between the stitches are on the bottom side, then you need to tighten your needle thread tension a little at a time until the knot is in middle of fabric. The reverse of this is if the knots are on the top, then either your bobbin tension is too loose or your needle thread tension is too tight. If this occurs, then loosen your needle thread a little at a time to see if knot goes down in middle of fabric. If it does not, then you need to increase the tension on your bobbin thread. This done by taking bobbin case out and tighten the small screw located in the middle of the spring on the side of the case. You only need a slight, steady pull on the bobbin thread - the more you put on the bobbin, the more you are going to have to put on the needle thread.

Top thread problem, Not enough tension on top=loops on the bottom of the fabric; too little tension on the bottom = loops on top of the fabric. Yes, I know it seems backwards. See: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521551
Dollars to donut holes, you either threaded the top of the machine with the presser foot down (it has to be UP to let the thread into the top tension), or you're trying to sew with the presser foot still up (which is an issue common to people trying to sew bulky seams).

Take the thread off the top of the machine, take out the bobbin case and give the machine a cleaning, rethread the machine, fetch up the bobbin thread and hold the bobbin and top thread ends together under and behind the presser foot for the first 2-3 stitches of each seam.

Try these suggestions
1. Change the needle--use a needle that's for the fabric being sewed
2. Rethread the machine--top --make sure to use every thread guide
3. try a different bobbin--make sure bobbin is inserted correctly into the bobbin case, & make sure the bobbin is turned the correct way in the bobbin case
4. make sure the thread has not come off the thread take up lever
5. Clean under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for lint or threads

Good that you changed the needle. Did you rethread just the needle or did you rethread the machine? You may have already taken these steps, but if not, here is what I would suggest:

1. Replace the old needle (which you did), even if it looks ok, as it may be bent or have a tiny burr or other damage that isn't easily visible. Make sure the needle is seated properly - facing forward and fully inserted.
2. **Completely rethread the machine, making sure the thread is going through the take-up lever. It can easily pop out when the machine jams, and you can't always see that the thread is out of place. That could explain why the thread doesn't loop properly around the bobbin.
3. Remove the bobbin and clean any knotted thread or lint from around the bobbin carrier. Canned air is great for cleaning the lint.
4. Replace the bobbin, making sure the thread-end is clipped neat, not frayed or knotted.
5. Try sewing on some practice fabric to make sure the stitches are going to form properly before returning to your sewing project.
Good luck!

Does not matter what machine you have from a 50's straight stitch to a newer model right out of the box. If your needle is hitting you are out of time. It needs to be reset and on that I can not help you as it is mechancal on the underside. What the needle is hitting is the bobbin arm.
When the bobbin arm swings around it picks up the top thread and loops it over the bobbon thread then releases the threads together for the loops and swings again for the next thread. When you hear the needle hit it is hitting this swing arm. That needs to be adjusted and that is called timing.
Open the bobbin case and turn the needle down by hand. You will see the needle as it goes through the throught plate down the catch the bobbon thread. You will see it hit the arm.
This needs to be backed off or set forward. Takes a trained person as I have never been able to do it myself. This happens when you sew to thick of a fabric, or go over several seams from light to thick. Or is you are pulling the fabric. If you head a CLUNK when it started then that is what I think it is.

* When you start to sew a seam, hold the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.

* Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you’re sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for woven (or a universal needle for either). And make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.

* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot, it may be too light for your fabric.

* If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.

Important Note: If you change your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.

I have a Singer Sewing machine, Model #6268. The threads have knotted up on the underside of the material. When I finally was able to pull it all out, it caused the needle to hit on the bobbin plate (hope that is right). Now the needle is bending, not going through. How can I adjust it back as it supposed to be? I have had this happen before, but it cost way too much to get it repaired. And I still don't know why this happens (the threads getting tangled).Thanks!